RHEOMETRICAL BEHAVIOR AND EQUILIBRIUM SWELLING IN NR BR/CEL-II COMPOSITES/

Natural rubber/butadiene rubber/cellulose II blends (NR/BR/CEL II) hav e been obtained by coprecipitation of the rubber latex-cellulose xanth ate mixtures through acidulation The elastomer ratio NR/BR has been va ried from 100/0 to 25/75 and the cellulose content from 0 to 25 phr. T he cure behavior of the compositions has been investigated by a Monsan to Oscillating Disk Rheometer. The results are a function of cellulose filler, NR, and BR contents. Some compositions were also analysed by equilibrium swelling in order to investigate polymer-filler interactio n. The results show that composites with higher BR contents exhibit hi gher elastomer-filler attachment.